"We are very grateful and give the highest appreciation to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in this case the Directorate General of Oil and Gas, as well as PT British Petroleum which will develop potential coal bed methane (CBM) in Central Kalimantan," he said.

According to the deputy governor, in national development oil and gas play an important role mainly as energy source, sources of state revenues and foreign exchange as well as national industrial raw materials.

"Coal bed methane is a gas, and methane is the main component in the natural formation of coal in trapped and absorbed conditions in coal or coal layers," he said.

The exploitation of coal bed methane in Indonesia is still not optimal and has been merely further developed after Indonesia faced the energy crisis, particularly fossil fuel due to substantial increase of crude oil prices in the market in recent years, he added.

"Along with the issuance of a Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No.36/2008 on Coal Methane Gas Control, opportunities may be provided for the development of alternative energy sources," Achmad Diran hoped.

The development of coal methane gas can create prosperity and welfare of the Central Kalimantan people, as well as Indonesia in general.